A Starter Kit for Teens Seeking Special Ops Program in their future.
#1 - Do Your Research:
So You Wanna Be a Frogman?
Well, are you ready? Are you preparing yourself? Have you ASSESSED your performance? Identified Weaknesses? Have you already enlisted in DEP and are trying to pass the PST? Are you wondering where to start?
Common Question - How Will I Know When I am Ready? (Click here)
How about this - do your research. You should be familiar with the PST and practice it well in advance of walking into a recruiter's office. Find out about the PST and ALL the things you need to know about the process of enlisting / boot camp / BUD/S Prep Course, BUD/S Orientation and of course the things you need to prepare for when at BUD/S at the Official Navy SEAL Website - www.sealswcc.com
One Stop Shop for Research - See link!
Be a Better Recruit (article/podcast)
Don't Be This Guy - The Struggling Recruit
Get Ready NOW!!!
Long before you talk to a recruiter, you should be PSTing yourself. Know how to take this test, do it enough to build a strategy for top performance, and go into your "job interview" as a top candidate. Otherwise, you are a PST failure - now stuck in the delayed entry program, trying to pass a PST to get a chance to go to BUDS. Because chances are that is all you will do - GO TO BUDS - not graduate. There is a phase of training you are completely missing - TRAINING TO GET THROUGH BUDS, and it is much tougher than taking the PST, and it may take longer than just trying to pass a PST.
Additional Reading - Four Steps to Special Ops Selection
But First - Learn How to Swim (if you do not know)
Learn How to Swim - This may require lessons and extensive practice (over many months) before you are proficient enough to pass military swim tests. The Combat Swimmer Stroke, both with and without fins, is the go-to stroke at BUD/S. You need to learn it. Learn about the most common mistakes in the stroke. I do coaching on this stroke and post it on my YouTube and Instagram.
CSS Help Series - All Things CSS That Most Screw Up
Combat Swimmer Stroke Perfect Stroke Instruction - CSS Articles/Video
Pull - Breathe - Kick - Glide ...repeat LEARN THIS!!
#1 Most Important Part of Swimming - Streamline
The PST Clinic - Study Hard!
This will be particularly important if you want to excel on the PST. In fact, you need to take the PST on your own so many times that you learn how to take the test, build a strategy for the test, and therefore score optimally on the test. This is your ENTRANCE EXAM. Take it seriously. Please DO NOT take this test for the first time ever with your recruiter/mentor and fail it. Because after that moment, you will be in the failure group - getting out of the failure group is a long road that you could have avoided with some proper preparation. This is an important article for you:
Navy SEAL / SWCC, EOD, Diver, AIRR PST Clinic - Learn how to take this test: Swim 500yds (no fins), Pushups, Situps, Pullups, 1.5 mile run
BEFORE You Go to the Recruiter - KNOW THIS:
Ten Signs That Prove You Are Ready To Serve in the Military
Joining the military is a tough job right out of high school; however, the window to join is from 17 to 28. That is more like a barn door than a window - do not be in a rush to join just because you can. Read this about the Perfect Storm for Failure.
The Perfect Storm for Failure
A majority did not pass, got injured, and quit (read above). In life, you might find (or have found) that the amount of time you prepare for a challenging event coincides with your rate of success or failure. As the saying goes, "Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong."
Additional Advice
Here is What Happens When You Think You Know Everything...
Tactical Fitness Report Podcast
For more information, check out the Tactical Fitness Report Podcast (FREE) on googleplay and itunes and my youtube channel. We discuss not just SEAL training but all types of tactical fitness challenges.
Specifically - Tactical Fitness Report 110 - Teen Preps for BUD/S - Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols discuss one of the most commonly asked questions that come from early teenage kids about preparing themselves for BUDS.
Tactical Fitness Report 129 - Building the Perfect BUDS Student
Tactical Fitness Report 128 - PST Strategy. Learn how to create a strategy for success with the PST and other fitness tests. But it takes practice!
Tactical Fitness Report 127 - The Difference Between PST and BUD/S Shape.
Tactical Fitness Report 125 - Post Boot Camp Prep for BUD/S other Spec Ops Selections. Getting back into selection shape takes some programming.
Tactical Fitness Report 123 - Mental Toughness: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Tactical Fitness Report 111 - Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols discuss nutrition and food that fuels for tough workouts, special ops prep, and days in selection.
Tactical Fitness Report 108 - The Perfectly Prepared Student Prepares for BUD/S or other Special Ops Training programs. What does the perfect student look like?
Tactical Fitness Report 105 - The Under-Prepared Student Heads to BUDS. What does a majority of trainees look like? Are you underprepared?
Tactical Fitness Report 103 - The Perfect Student - Any Age. Listen why...
and many more...
There is a difference between just preparing to get TO THE TRAINING and getting THROUGH the training.
You still should be asking yourself the following questions throughout the journey
Top Ten Questions– Are You Physically Ready to Join Special Ops?
Your Mission Starts Now
Let today be the day you refuse to quit. Let today be the day you adopt a mindset that transforms setbacks into comebacks. Join the Never Quit Mindset revolution and discover your limitless potential.
Act now—seize your $100 savings and begin the transformation that will last a lifetime.
Buy Now!
Never Quit Mindset Book, eBook, Audio Book, and
Online Video / Audio Course
Transform Your Goals, Overcome Challenges, and
Build Unbreakable Resilience
Discover The Never Quit Mindset by Stew Smith—a transformative personal development resource designed for motivated individuals seeking to break through barriers and achieve lasting success. Whether you're striving for excellence in your career, health, or personal life, this guide provides the tools to develop the discipline needed to conquer obstacles and fulfill your potential.
There is More To StewSmithFitness.com than You May Know
Dive deeper into the world of Tactical Athlete training and mental toughness by exploring Stew Smith Fitness Programming for the Tactical Athlete online store. Uncover the strategies and techniques used by elite forces to push past physical and mental barriers. Visit StewSmithFitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success in many special ops-level selection programs in the military and police world.
Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
Who is Stew Smith? Coach, Trainer, Author, Podcaster
I'm the former Navy SEAL that special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com
Core Mission
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Tactical Fitness Training For the Candidate / Recruit: Specializing in preparing individuals for military, special ops, law enforcement, and firefighter selection programs (getting you "TO and THROUGH" training).
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Functional Training for Both Active Duty / Recruits: Utilizing a seasonal tactical fitness periodization system that balances longer workouts of running/rucking, swimming, and calisthenics during the Spring/Summer when days are longer. Then, the focus shifts in the Fall/Winter to lifting (Cals/cardio maintenance) when the days are shorter/colder. This process has 25 years of proven success building tactical athletes who improve in all areas of fitness: strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, muscle stamina, mobility, flexibility, and grip.
- Becoming an Asset for All Types: Even non-tactical athletes want to be of use in situations that require some level of fitness to get through the day. Be an asset, not a liability, in potentially dangerous situations, whether natural or man-made. Fitness can be a common denominator in successfully enduring life-or-death scenarios.
Specific Programs & Courses
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The Ageless Athlete (Fitness Over 50): A 22-week program designed for beginners to advanced trainees looking to regain fitness, flexibility, and energy.
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Tactical Fitness Over 40: After training people for over 25 years now, many who started with me in the early 2000s are now in their 40s and beyond. Learning how to shift training to remain an asset while also offering longevity, flexibility, and mobility is central to this 52-week program. (4-part series)
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Tactical Fitness Course: An 80-minute course on preparing for Spec Ops selection, getting TO and THROUGH the toughest military special ops’ programs using this two-phase system.
Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization - A 25 Year proven system to become a tactical athlete. What is Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization?
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The Never Quit Mindset Book and Course: The "Never Quit Mindset" book and course are a deep dive into building constructive habits that incrementally improve discipline, build mental toughness, and foster a Never Quit Mindset in anything you want to do.
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Specialized Workout Plans: Specific, tailored programs for Navy SEAL (Phases 1-4), SWCC, Army (SF/Ranger/Airborne), USMC MarSOC / (RECON), Air Force (PJ/CCT), Coast Guard, Law Enforcement (FBI/DEA/FLETC), Fire Fighter, and general fitness too for beginners and advanced athletes alike.
Resources and Content
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Extensive Content Library: Over 1,000 free articles, 200+ podcasts, and social media content (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) featuring Spec Ops swim critiques and LIVE QA sessions.
- FREE Local Training for those preparing to serve! Check out HeroesofTomorrow.org for our location and schedule.
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NEW SKOOL.com Tactical Fitness Community
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Educational Materials: Over 40 options for eBooks, videos, printed books, podcasts (200+), and online video courses.
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Apps: Pushup Push, Pullup Push, FBI workout, and Navy SEAL exercise apps (iPhone/Android).
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LIVE QA Sessions Each Week: Monday and Tuesday, 9 am EST on social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) and Skool.com Tactical Fitness community.
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Online Coaching: Personalized programming based on specific goals, equipment, and your time availability.
- Membership Site: Access to hundreds of weeks of training, unpublished workouts, and exclusive content, weekly newsletter sent to subscribers with the week's latest articles, videos, and workouts (beginner/intermediate, and advanced special ops prep workouts).
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Extensive Content Library: Over 1,000 free articles, 200+ podcasts, and social media content (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) featuring Spec Ops swim critiques and LIVE QA sessions.
Discover the Secret to Unlocking Your Best Health After 50 (latest program developed)
As you cross the wonderful milestone of 50, you might find that your body doesn’t quite bounce back the way it used to. You’re not alone in this—many men and women in your age group are searching for ways to revive their fitness levels without feeling overwhelmed. That’s where longtime coach and fitness writer Stew Smith’s newest book, "The Ageless Athlete: Fitness Over 50," comes into play. This book may just be the spark you need to ignite your fitness journey.
Truth is, there are people over 60 and 70 doing this workout. Even the advanced section. It works and will help you progress from beginner to intermediate to advanced.
Remember, as you age, your training needs to adapt.
Have you been thinking about getting back in shape but don’t know where to start?
Imagine waking up each day with more energy, flexibility, and the drive to embrace life head-on. Stew Smith, a seasoned fitness expert with 56 years of experience, has crafted a program specifically for guys like you—men who may feel overwhelmed by fitness options or unsure what’s suitable for their age. With his 22-week plan tailored to beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners, you will find exactly what you need to suit your current fitness level.
New Tactical Fitness Training Course!
Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Training is What We Do:
Need Programming for Fitness Tests and Beyond? We are all about getting you TO and THROUGH your future training program. See how that works.
New Tactical Fitness Training Course!
Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Where to Find More Information About Optimal Performance Training Programs
When you start training again, consider the seasonal tactical fitness model. I call it A WAY to train and obviously not the only way to train. But it offers the opportunity to never neglect your weaknesses, improves flexibility and mobility, and puts you at a level of physical ability where you are happy with your overall ability to do just about anything. We have a system where the seasons dictate our training. When it is nicer outside, we tend to run and do more calisthenics. When it is colder and not so nice, we lift more, run less, and still maintain our outdoor activities with shorter runs and rucks. Check it out: Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization System.
Online Coaching Options
Online Coaching is Available with Stew Smith Fitness - Weekly Workouts created personally for you.
New Members' Only Content / Services Program!
If you want access to years' worth of workouts, many of the top eBOOKs, favorite workouts of the week, a free fitness APP, a closed Facebook Group, a video/picture library of exercises, and more access to LIVE Q/A sessions, check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, live Q and A lessons.
Consider this! - A Membership Program and Gain Access to Exclusive Content
(click for Fitness Club Dashboard - members only)